Objective To explore postoperative outcome of ambulation function and prognosis-associated factors for metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC) from lung cancer. Methods The clinical data of 56 patients who were operated for MSCC from January 2010 to May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The visual analogue scale(VAS) score and Frankel classification were used to evaluate the pain intensity and dysfunction of spinal cord, respectively. The physical status was assessed by the Karnofsky performance status(KPS) scale. Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the possible correlation between histology, preoperative motor status(Frankel classification), pathologic fractures of responsible vertebral body, number of spinal metastases, the time interval of motor status impairment and surgery, location of spinal compression, surgical procedure and postoperative motor status. Results The VAS score decreased from preoperative 6.4±1.2 to postoperative 2.3±1.1, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The KPS score increased from preoperative 62 to postoperative 70, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The pre-and postoperative ratio of patients who were able to walk was 46%(26/56) and 75%(42/56), respectively. The grade of Frankel classification was increased in 31 cases, unchanged in 22 cases and decreased in 3. The postoperative Frankel classification was significantly higher than that before operation, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that there was a correlation between the preoperative motor status and postoperative motor status and between the motor function impairment and surgical interval. Conclusion Better preoperative motor status and shorter interval between motor function impairment and surgery would have a better postoperative motor status in the patients with MSCC from lung cancer. On the premise of reducing complications, symptomatic MSCC patients are recommended to surgery as soon as possible.